About Us

The Chorleywood Residents Association (Hertfordshire, UK) is a non-party political association that is passionate about maintaining the special character of Chorleywood.

The work of the Association is championed by the Executive Committee, a dedicated enthusiastic body of volunteers, committed to representing the members of the Association and campaigning on their behalf.

The Executive Committee is supported in this work by the Area Representatives and others who undertake the essential tasks including delivering the twice yearly newsletter and collecting subscriptions.

We hope that this website will be a focal point for the residents of Chorleywood and through the contributions to us from everyone (whether members or not of the Association) we can become a valuable source of information for the local community.

Planning

The Residents' Association is here to help our
members where they raise objections to planning applications which may have a
detrimental effect on their lives and property.

Members of the Committee attend development
control meetings and liaise directly with the Planning Officers at Three Rivers
District Council giving our members up to date information and support to successfully oppose an application.

For those who are thinking of putting in an application you can
get help and advice prior to submitting the plans from a Planning Officer. Three Rivers
District have an officer available every weekday from 10am to 1pm to give
advice to the public on planning matters.

We wrote previously about the Lidl proposal for Rickmansworth - Lidl approached many local residents directly via a mailshot about their proposed supermarket on the site of the former Police Station in Rickmansworth, and ran a community engagement event in Mill End.

As we stated previously, there were general comments made in favour of the concept of a low-cost retailer such as Lidl in our local area. However there were concerns expressed about the proposed plans for Rickmansworth, the visual appearance of the development as proposed and traffic management issues at this specific site.

Whilst the locality is a generally affluent area, and we are fortunate to have a good mix of both vibrant independent local retailers as well as a good selection national chains in our local area. However, not all of our residents are fortunate enough to be able to be able afford to shop on every occasion in the existing local retailers. One comment from a local resident in the recent past regarding the slow off-peak Metropolitan Line services was that these services had the benefit that it made it easier for them to get to Pinner without a change from Chorleywood where there is a Lidl at the top of the high street there, as they could not afford many of the existing options.

We are a little disappointed that Lidl at this time have not sought to address some of the concerns raised by many residents, specifically the visual impact of the development to Rectory Road, however in the covering letter to the planning department Lidl have stated that they are open to discussions on this point.

Many residents will have received a letter recently from Lidl about their proposal for a new store in Rickmansworth. They are promoting a new neighbourhood discount food store at the former Rickmansworth Police Station site on Rectory Road, Rickmansworth. Lidl have already purchased the site from Hertfordshire Constabulary.

The proposal was briefly discussed recently at a recent Executive Committee meeting, and there were general comments made in favour of the concept of a low-cost retailer such as Lidl in our local area. However there were concerns expressed about the proposed plans for Rickmansworth, the visual appearance of the development as proposed and traffic management issues at this specific site.

Whilst Chorleywood is a generally affluent area, and we are fortunate to have a good mix of both vibrant independent local retailers as well as a good selection national chains in our local area. However, not all of our residents are fortunate enough to be able to be able afford to shop on every occasion in the existing local retailers. One comment from a local resident in the recent past regarding the slow off-peak Metropolitan Line services was that these services had the benefit that it made it easier for them to get to Pinner without a change from Chorleywood where there is a Lidl at the top of the high street there, as they could not afford many of the existing options.

At the time of writing, Lidl have not put forward a firm proposal to Three Rivers District Council regarding their plans.

So in the meantime residents have the opportunity to feed back directly to Lidl.

Lidl say on their website...

If you have any questions or queries that can not be resolved by the information provided, please feel free to contact us on:

Telephone: 020 8905 8766

Office hours: Monday-Friday; 08:00am – 18:00pm

Your feedback is very important to us and the Local Planning Authority.

If you are in favour of our proposals then we would be grateful if you would assist us by voicing your support.

Anyone who has previously commented upon the planning application should have received a letter like this in the post from the planning department at Three Rivers.

All existing representations (unless parked confidential) from the planning application will be sent forward to the Planning Inspector for consideration as part of the appeals process. The appeal will be done as a written exchange of statements by both parties and a site visit from the Inspector. Residents have the opportunity to withdraw, modify, or make further representations to the proposal. To do this you should provide THREE copies of your representation by Friday 13th November 2013 to:

The Planning Inspectorate

Room 3/10b Kite Wing

Temple Quay House

2 The Square

Temple Quay

Bristol. BS1 6PN.

You can obtain a copy of "Guide to taking part in Planning Appeals" from the above office, or consult it online.

Further to the recent planning application to demolish the Long Island Exchange hotel in Rickmansworth, this was again rejected by the Three Rivers Planning Committee on the 20th of June, one of the directions from the Planning Committee was to direct the officers of the Council to reconsider whether the hotel should be given Listed Status.

It was reported this week in the Watford Observer that the council have now confirmed that the Long Island Exchange is "locally listed". Although the listing status cannot block the demolition of a building, it is an additional factor that both the developer and the planning committee need to take into consideration when any planning application to change the building is considered.

Although the Long Island might not be the best example of a hotel - it's evident that the current owners have had other long terms plans for the site and have possibly not invested as much as they could have otherwise in the facilities and their upkeep, hopefully they will now understand the importance that the local community place upon this long standing local hotel which is very conveniently placed not only for residents in the local area, but also those using the Metropolitan and Chiltern lines. Hopefully they might have a change of heart.

New development proposals have been submitted for the Long Island Exchange in Rickmansworth. We wrote back in November that a planning application had been submitted to demolish the existing hotel and build 95 flats. The proposals were out of keeping with the local area and the Save Long Island blog helped to co-ordinate a local response against the planning application.

The developers have been on a bit of a charm offensive and all the parties who sent in an objection to the original proposals have been the lucky recipient of a glossy brochure (see right) setting out the revised plans which now comprises of 65 flats. The developers obviously realise that its probably in their financial interest to win some support for the new scheme. Whilst the version 2 plan is probably an improvement on the original plans, and still not of direct impact to residents in Chorleywood, it is a loss of a local hotel amenity for the Rickmansworth area. The fact that the existing hotel leaves a lot to be desired due to the current owners running it into the ground (because of their plan to develop the site) is immaterial, and there is very little other local hotel accommodation of a similar style/price in the area. If the planners approve the application are they going to modify the local plan to release other land in the Three Rivers local area for a similar hotel facility?

Residents are prompted to consider the impact of the development on the local area, and if they see fit submit a comment to the proposals. The deadline for comments is 23rd April 2013Friday 3rd May and the planning application reference is 13/0480/FUL - comments can easily be submitted online in the Three Rivers Planning portal. The loss of amenity of local hotel accommodation can have a wider impact on both residents and businesses.

Despite enforcement action taken by the Three Rivers licencing committee, Chorleywood Premier still continues to sell alcohol. As we wrote back in January Chorleywood Premier licence revoked again the licensing committee revoked the owners licence to sell alcohol. But pretty much as expected the licencee appealed the decision right up against the deadline and until the appeal is heard they were able to continue to sell alcohol.

As the wheels of justice turn slowly, it's unlikely that the appeal would have been heard by now in any case, but there has been a development whereby the appeal probably won't be heard. Ownership of the business has been transferred to a new owner, and the new owner has applied for their own licence which has been approved. The licencing committee have to take each licencing application on its own merits, and can't link the performance of a previous licencee to a new applicant, even if at the same premises. However the new licencee seem to be taking their responsibilities more seriously, and an additional camera has been installed in the shop and the sales assistants are now operating a Challenge 25 policy and other commitments have been made. Our local police are keeping a careful eye on the situation.

There's always something on the agenda for planning and licencing issues, and the Residents' Association has recently been working on the following cases:

Address: 60 Highfield Way Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

Application No:12/2125/FUL:

Side and rear extensions and first floor extension to create two storey, five bedroom house with accommodation in roof space served by rear dormer window and front roof lights, new front porch and alterations to fenestration. The proposed design already reduced in size, the carport has been removed, the side extension has been reduced in size but this will still be a major intrusion to Mr Bamford’s Property. we have asked Chorleywood Parish Council to support the resident's objection with reference to bulk, heights, mass, over development etc. on plot.

Address: Beechcroft Cottage, Chalfont Lane, Chorleywood

Application No: 12/2184/FUL

Demolition of small cottage where occupant has passed away. New owner has put in an application which moves the existing footprint of the house 26 meters over to the right hand side of the plot and now 1.8 meters away from the neighbouring house with 13 large windows overlooking them. The development is large and they have planned a heat source pump right next to the neighbour. I suggested the resident speaks at the Chorleywood Parish Council also as they would have had no objections to it, due to the time delay in the District Council putting up the plans on the planning portal but closing the public consult date 1 week after publication! Chorelywood Parish Council will call it in and so we have a lot of support for this resident as has Chris Haywood.

Licensing Application at North Hill Farm, Ref: TQ0397NW

Application was for Live/Recorded Music, Performance of dance & anything of a similar description indoors and outdoors Friday - Sunday 12.00 - 00.30hrs.

The provision of a late night refreshment licence and the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premise. Monday to Sunday from 1200-00.30hrs

Premise opening times to be Monday – Sunday from 12.00-01.00hrs.

This licence would potentially cause a number of disturbances to the local residents along on Chenies Road and residents in Marlin Close who back on to North Hill Farm. There is a possibility of anti-social behaviour in a residential area including violation of resident’s premises. Increased traffic volume at different hours of the day & night and access to the site is via North Hill which is a narrow one track road which could cause traffic congestion.

As we reported back in October, Chorleywood Premier had its alcohol licence revoked after a police and Trading Standards sting operation. After initially saying that the store was going to be closed for the two month period, it reopened after a week and continued trading without selling alcohol.

Following another sting operation, the police and trading standards as statutory agencies have again made representations to the Three Rivers Licencing sub committee. Along with public comments made by several local residents who have had to put up with public nuisance and littering from potential customers of the Premier Store, the licencing sub committee met again last night and have again revoked the alcohol licence for Chorleywood Premier after it was again found that they had not been adhering to the conditions of the licence. The licencee has 21 days to appeal the decision.

Update 17th February 2013: the licence holder has appealed the decision so they can continue to trade until the appeal is decided.

Side and rear extensions and first floor extension to create two storey, five bedroom house with accommodation in roofspace served by rear dormer window and front rooflights, new front porch and alterations to fenestration

Two storey and single storey rear extension, single storey garage extension to front, reconstructing part of ground and first floor to front and side elevations, including increase in ridge height, internal alterations and increase of width of existing entrances to site

Minor amendments to planning permission 11/1652/FUL (erection of 3 town houses with associated access, parking, bin storage, landscaping and amenity areas) to reduce the width of the proposed terrace of three houses, marginally increase their depth and to realign the access road

Any residents who are on the point of making a planning application might want to do so next week before the prices go up!

It has been announced on the 16th November that The government’s increase of planning fees have been agreed in both Houses of Parliament and will come into force on 22nd November 2012. The fee increases will affect all types of planning applications, including full applications, certificates of lawfulness, non-material amendments and discharges of conditions.

Apparently the fee increase, approx 15% represents the rate of inflation since 2008 when the fees were last changed.In summary, the main fees for domestic and householder applications are:

Householder Development Alterations, improvements or extensions to existing dwellingsWhere application relates to one dwellinghouse: £172 (was £150)Where application relates to two or more dwellinghouses: £339 (was £295)Erection of buildings in the garden of a dwelling (including sheds, greenhouses, or fences and walls etc) £172 (was £150)

Confirmation of compliance with a condition attached to a planning conditionRelating to applications for the enlargement or alterations to existing dwellings or works including the provision of a building within thecurtilage of an existing dwelling £28 for each request (was £25)

Non-Material Change to a Planning Permission Relating to applications for the enlargement or alterations to existing dwellings or works including theprovision of a building within the curtilage of an existing dwelling - £28 for each request (was £25)

Lawful Development CertificatesExisting use of land or development - The same fee as for an equivalent planning applicationProposed use of land or development - Half the fee as for an equivalent planning application

Please note that the above is the draft version of the final signed version of the Statutory Instrument will be available to be downloaded from the http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ from the 22 November 2012.